I was very pleasantly surprised to see that my Guest Poster's featured post AREIVIM and Why I Don't Like It was quoted in full in the Reader's Write section of this week's Yated. There was no mention that the content of the letter came from my blog, and I'm certain that is for the better. Since I was pleasantly surprised to see the Guest Post in the Yated, I'm curious as to how it landed in the Reader's Write section. The letter begins like this and is followed by the text of the Guest Post:
In response to Rabbi Binyomin Ginsburg’s column on the importance of buying life insurance
and the coincidental inclusion of a brochure for Areivim in the same issue of the Yated, I would like to share some thoughts written by an actuary, whose job is to analyze risk in insurance, among other things. His remarks are titled, “Areivim and Why I Don’t Like It.” He writes as follows:
I had no idea that in the same edition that Rabbi Ginsburg stressed the importance of life insurance that Areivim included a brochure in the paper copy of the newspaper. Simply wow. Now that the KYA/Areivim/Areivim USA issues have come to the forefront of print and virtual media, I am hopeful that we can finally discuss efficient use of resources, personal finance, and transparency head on.
Meanwhile Rabbi Horowitz has published his recommendation that contributors and members of KYA/Areivim/Areivim USA dissolve their relationship with the organization and he is taking some heat on his webpage and at VIN.
Speaking of transparency, in perhaps the most idiotic comment of the year, a VIN reader correlated Rabbi Horowitz's questioning of Areivim to questioning Moshe Rabbeinu writing: "Doson Veavirom also doubted the credibility of Moshe Rabeinu!" Need little ol' me have to review some basic pashat Torah for the benefit of VIN readers?! Moshe Rabbeinu is an example of the great transparency that one should demonstrate when dealing with communal funds. There was no need to place blind trust in Moshe Rabbainu because he avoided suspicion by keeping a transparent accounting and open pockets. In fact, when collecting funds for the Mishkan Moshe Rabbeinu even told the people when enough was collected. Can you imagine a shul, school, or organization today shutting down their collections mid-year because they have what they need?
Just because a tzedakah manages to put out glossy brochure after glossy brochure does not make it "Moshe Rabbeinu." I don't nitpick every action of the organizations that we donate too. In fact, if I was in charge I might spend money differently. But so long as the organization is reasonably forthcoming and demonstrates basic competency and integrity, I am pleased to be a donor. KYA has not been at all forthcoming and has even lied about endorsements and Board Members. Am Yisrael can and will take care of widows and orphans and I believe we will be able to do so in a more dignified fashion without a middle man such as this.
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8 comments:
He probably sent it in.
Actually, I did not send it in. I was quite surprised it was in there. However, after some minimal investigation I know exactly how it ended up there. The son of my long-time chavrusa is a big time "Yated letter writer". He knew about my post...and there you have it. Personally, I would not have even bothered with the Yated because I did not think they would print it ("lahson harah!") and their readership is now going to spend weeks arguing about it (as if there is something to discuss).
"Meanwhile Rabbi Horowitz has published his recommendation that contributors and members of KYA/Areivim/Areivim USA dissolve their relationship with the organization and he is taking some heat on his webpage and at VIN.
Speaking of transparency, in perhaps the most idiotic comment of the year, a VIN reader correlated Rabbi Horowitz's questioning of Areivim to questioning Moshe Rabbeinu writing: "Doson Veavirom also doubted the credibility of Moshe Rabeinu!""
Honestly, I don't know why Rabbi Horowitz does what he does. It's living a life of incredible stress and frustration. I just don't think it's worth it. You're one man standing against a sea of stupidity, ignorance, and backwardness. Some people want to get snookered, I say let them.
Rabbi Horowitz is a great, great man. I love the work that he does.
YWN censored it. I tried to submit the article by RYH.
Were all the pro-Areivim comments Areivm people or are there that many gullible illiterates?
I wouldn't mind the apparent illiteracy so much if it came without the standard argument "if you reject unsupported claims, you are against charity and the needy altogether"
That saying sometimes accredited to P.T. Barnum applies here: There's a sucker born every minute. Given the birth rate in parts of klal, yes there are that many gullible illiterates.
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